Changu Narayan Hiking

Changu Narayan is famous for Changu Narayan Temple, which is believed to be the oldest Hindu temple of Nepal. It is the temple of Lord Vishnu, who is also known by the name of Narayan. One of the most famous myths of Vishnu is that he descends on earth in various avatars (incarnations) to protect the world and deliver us from evil every time Adharma (unrighteousness/evil) reaches its height. According to the scriptures, 10 avatars (incarnations) of Vishnu is supposed to appear on earth. Of them, 9 of them have already appeared, and the tenth is believed to appear in Kali Yuga (which is the era we are currently living in). All of these 10 avatars are depicted in beautiful carvings all over the temple. Two stone lions guard all four sides of the temple and, on the western side, there is a life-size statue of the mythical bird Garuda (the vehicle of Vishnu), the sworn enemy of the mythical serpents Nagas.

Your trip begins with about an hour’s drive to Bhaktapur, which is about 20 km east of Kathmandu Valley. From Bhaktapur, you hike slowly on a slightly steep hill, passing through local villages and green forests. Along the way, you will get to see glimpses of mountains surrounding the valley. You have the option to walk through paved road or through the forests. Both options provide different benefits and experiences. If you hike through the forests, you get to enjoy the greenery, rocky roads, and peaceful surroundings. If you hike through the paved roads, you get to see great views of Kathmandu Valley all along the way and also enjoy the luxury of various restaurants and small hotels. The road is the main route and it does not have much traffic, so most people prefer to hike on the paved path.

The temple is located right at the top of the hill, so when you reach there, you will not only get to visit the temple, but also get to see an incredible view of Kathmandu City as well as Bhaktapur. Since it is not so far away from Kathmandu, you can see planes landing on and taking off from the Tribhuvan Airport. Around the temple, there are several restaurants and shops that offer all kinds of tourist activities.

Note: You have the option to walk from Bhaktapur to Changu Narayan Temple or drive straight to Changu Narayan Temple.